No prizes for AFLX champs next year

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THE FIRST incarnation of the League's foray into 'Big Bash style' footy will see teams play for no prize money.

Three single-day tournaments featuring six teams apiece have been scheduled for three consecutive days in February.

While big-money prizes could convince clubs and players to take the concept more seriously, the League confirmed cash incentives aren't part of the plan for year one.

Decisions are yet to be made on trophies or best on ground awards, but it's understood ideas are being discussed inside AFL headquarters.

AFL game development manager Andrew Dillon is confident the experimental games will feature at least some big-name players.

"We'll get a range, there's a number of the senior players that are really keen to try it out, so I think we'll get a mix, like we do in the normal pre-season games, we'll get a mixture," Dillon said this week.

"It'll be a trial that we're doing, we're really keen to get the feedback from the fans, but I think it'll be really exciting, the ball will move really quickly and it's good just to try different things."

Dillon's comments come after the AFL revealed record participation growth.

The League is hopeful the AFLX format, which will be played on a rectangular field, will lead to further interest.

"We think it's going to have a lot of cut through in the participation stakes," Dillon said.

"We're just focusing on the domestic market at this stage, but it has got potential international expansion particularly because we can play on rectangles."